Service at Hiroshima Peace Bell in Honolulu is an expression of interfaith unity for peace

A diverse crowd of religious leaders, public officials, representatives of various Japan-Hawaii organizations, and other peace builders gathered under trees along Nuuanu Stream on August 7, 2017 for the 28th annual Hiroshima Commemoration and Peace Service. The event was hosted at Hiroshima Peace Bell by the Izumo Taishakyo Mission with substantial participation of the YMCA.

Dignitaries in attendance included the Consul General of Japan, Yasushi Misawa, and Mrs. Yoko Misawa; State Senator Karl Rhoads; and City Councilmembers Carol Fukunaga and Ann Kobayashi. Mr. Edwin Hawkins, director of the Office of Economic Development for the City & County of Honolulu represented Mayor Kirk Caldwell.

Following a Shinto blessing, speakers offered perspectives from the Buddhist, Christian, and Jewish traditions. Bishop Eric Matsumoto of Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii represented the Buddhist community by sharing a message in which he quoted His Eminence Kojun Ohtani from his book, Moving Forward Just As You Are, Living in These Uncertain Times, emphasizing interdependence as the key to world peace.

Speakers also included Hiromi Peterson, a retired Punahou Japanese teacher and second generation atomic bomb survivor, a YMCA youth representative who spoke of his time in Hiroshima, and event committee co-chair Ray Tsuchiyama.

Musical elements of the program included a rendition of “Ave Maria” by Rev. Takamasa Yamamura of Honolulu Myohoji Buddhist Temple and the singing of “Let There Be Peace on Earth” led by the Interfaith Peacemakers.

Following the service, all had the opportunity to ring the Peace Bell. Draped near the bell were origami cranes presented by Japanese youth as well as cranes provided by Hawaii Betsuin’s Norman Hirohata-Goto, carried previously by Pacific Buddhist Academy students in Martin Luther King Jr. Parades.

Tomorrow, Saturday June 24, 2017, the "Ellison Onizuka: A Remembrance" exhibit will open at JCCH. There will be an opening/dedication ceremony to be held at 9 AM, with our Bishop Eric Matsumoto doing the invocation for the program. The Bishop has said it is an honor to do so, as someone who shares the same birthplace (Kona) as Ellison, and as a fellow Japanese-American and Jodo Shin Buddhist. This event is open to the public.

We will be holding a Kikyoshiki Confirmation Ceremony by His Eminence Gomonshu Kojun Ohtani in September!

Confirmation Ceremony, or “Kikyoshiki”, is a solemn ceremony performed before Amida Buddha and Shinran Shonin to officially confirm your entry into the Path of the Nembutsu. Participants will affirm their reverence toward the Three Treasures of the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. “Buddha” is not simply in reference to Sakyamuni, but refers more importantly to Amida Buddha, the Buddha of Immeasurable Wisdom and Boundless Compassion. “Dharma” is the teaching of Amida’s Compassionate working to embrace all beings without any discrimination. “Sangha” refers to the community of people who have entrusted themselves to Amida Buddha and its Nembutsu teaching.

By participating in the Confirmation Ceremony, you will receive a Dharma Buddhist Name (Homyo). These names are in the form of “Shaku” and two Buddhist terms which follow. The word “Shaku” means “disciple of Sakyamuni” and signifies that the person has joined the followers of the teachings of Sakyamuni Buddha, a community that transcends race or nationality.

His Eminence Gomonshu Kojun Ohtani, the Head Priest and the Spiritual Leader of the Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha Organization, will be officiating the Confirmation Ceremony at the following three locations. Please note that the Confirmation Ceremony is open to anyone throughout the State. There is no minimum or maximum age limit however the individual must be able to participate in the ceremony at the temple. We sincerely hope that you will take this wonderful opportunity and participate in the Confirmation Ceremony. Please contact your resident minister if you have any questions about this ceremony.Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin (398 Kilauea Ave., Hilo)Tuesday, September 5, 2017, 5:30pm

Jodo Shinshu followers in Hawaii will have three opportunities in September 2017 to affirm their reverence toward the Three Treasures of the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha and receive a Buddhist name from Gomonshu Kojun Ohtani. The Gomonshu is the Head Priest and Spiritual Leader of the Jodo Shinshu Hon